Derbyshire CCGs acknowledge the Department of Health and Social Care report on prescribing gluten-free products

We acknowledge the report published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on Thursday 1 February 2018 and the health minister's preferred option to restrict prescribing to certain gluten-free products. The report follows the DHSC’s own consultation which considered the availability of gluten free food on prescription in primary care. We note that many gluten-free products will be removed from the drug tariff and recognise that this process can take some time and so it may be many months before legislative changes are passed.

*‘It is for CCGs to decide how they commission local services to best meet the needs of their populations. Some CCGs have made changes that go beyond restricting to a staple range of products, and many have done so following patient engagement and/or consultation. They may wish to undertake a review of their position taking into account patient feedback and the impact of their change. As a consequence they may or may not wish to adapt their position.’

The DHSC report will be discussed at the next meeting of the Derbyshire Joint Area Prescribing Committee (JAPC) in February and a discussion paper will be taken to each of the four Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Bodies in February and March to seek their views.

Whatever the outcome of those discussions we have committed to review the impact of our local policy six months post implementation and we would expect to report upwards to our Governing Bodies in the latter half of 2018.

If a member of the public has any questions about this matter, contact the Derbyshire CCG's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) via any of the following channels: